He says that although most clients hire escorts to spend the holidays with, they also have clients who "specifically use our service to get their families to stop asking them about their boyfriend and marriage plans".

The hire-boyfriend or girlfriend gambit is quite popular.

In China, men place advertisements for their services.

In Japan, gigolo bars are popular with unmarried women who are not shy about flashing their cash to buy companionship during Christmas, Valentine's Day and other occasions.

APP

Meanwhile in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post recently reported that about 10 advertisements have appeared in Jobdoh, a smartphone application that connects casual workers and employers. Fee: HK$250 (S$45) for an hour of acting.

The idea of getting paid and eating traditional Chinese pastries for free sounds like a dream job, but it is by no means an easy one.

"You will receive and memorise all the information on who you are, how we met (and) our future plans," says one of the job descriptions from a woman looking for a fake boyfriend so her family "won't be on my nerves".